Mediation Voucher Scheme receives additional funding

Relate Mediation London North East & Essex Welcomes Additional Funding for the Mediation Voucher Scheme

Relate Mediation London North East & Essex welcomes the further £5.4m investment the government is making into the family mediation voucher scheme, to provide a brighter future for thousands of families.

The funds will allow more separated parents to benefit from up to £500 of family mediation services, provided by Family Mediation Council Accredited mediators.

It is far better for children and for parents to work together to try to agree the way forward following separation rather than go to court, but this can be hard for people to do without help. Family mediation provides parents a safe and supported structure to sort out the best arrangements for the children, taking into account what is going to be important for them, as they grow up. It also provides parents with the space and time they need to think about what is most important for their children, and for the whole family. Each separating family can get up to £500 of funding for family mediation where there are issues relating to children that need to be discussed.

Since April 2021 the Vouchers have supported over 8,400 families. This has had a dramatic impact on the lives of these families with the vast majority reaching whole or partial agreement and avoiding any contested family court proceedings. The increased investment in the scheme announced by the Ministry of Justice for 2022/2023 will allow around 10,200 more families to be helped to access regulated family mediation and make arrangements that work best for them.

Family Mediation Council Accredited Mediator Tina Kirsch of Relate Mediation based in Romford is signed up to offer vouchers under the scheme. She said: This scheme has really benefited children and young people. The Family Court isn’t the place for parents to agree arrangements for their children. I’m pleased to hear the scheme will continue.

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1. The Ministry of Justice announced the amount of funding available for the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme in financial year 2022/23 on 3 June 2022.

2. More details about the family mediation voucher scheme are available here: mediation@relatelnee.org.uk

3. The voucher scheme is operated on behalf of the Ministry of Justice by the Family Mediation Council, a not-for-profit organisation whose aim is to promote the use of family mediation for the benefit of the public. Family Mediation Council Accredited mediators meet rigorous professional standards. Find out more: https://www.familymediationcouncil.org.uk/

4. For more information about anything contained in this press release or family mediation in general, please contact Sue Cook on 0208 514 7880 or email suecook@relatelnee.org.uk

17th June 2022